er face turned beet red and she felt herself starting to perspire

look of surprise clearly spreading across

ked at him. She fe

himself to Raquel, h

ceably impressed. She took in his tall, well-built physique, gr

. His dark hair, still slightly musse

said in a low, seductive voice.

rt fell through

miring the tall, dark and handsome, and

elo's assistant, Bernard, who appeare

illed her coffee on Angelo that morning. Great, she thought, his boss. I'll never

f our ad reps, Laura Parker. She'll be sitti

moment longer than custom dictated. He then held her hand up and kissed it lightly. He had a hint of fac

a was sp

especially since he hadn't kissed

her hand go, but continued to gaze at her. His wide-set blue eyes

ura said, her throat

el said, looking t

at his lips. "We don't really know ea

Angelo said, stil

ng smile as they were formally

to not commanding all of the attention from men. "Shal

, a CEO of a Fortune 500 company was beyond intimidating for her. He'd see what a lowly office worker she was and

feelings of panic and anx

re she was having just returned, sweaty and disheveled from getting

re once again having a powerful effect on her. "I'd like to talk to you a

hot. "Sure," she said as she caught

ssible, wanting to disappear into the woodwork as her feelings of intimidation grew by the minute. She care

ave her a po

idn't und

r everyone?" she asked, which sounded dist

owing ever redder in the cheeks. Being treated like the office waitress was just furth

," Angelo asked politely,

ed, avoiding

passionate look on his face. He could r

ere it belonged. On her. She had initially planned to have Laura pass out the in

o her form-fitting dark brown skirt with a slit, lowering the blouse's neckline

purred as her glossy red lipstick coated lips curved into a flirtatious smile. Her hand brushed across his shoulder as she then passed a pamphlet

brows rose at th

d looked b

ght she was go

r shoulder, then dipping her chin to look up at him through her thick false lashes,

o scream or throw up. She did n

again, sussing out the dynamics of the room. He

hen leaned back in his chair and turned to Raquel. "We have a

d as she leaned forward, putting her am

n eye, "I'd like some assurances that what

" As she said that, she wove her fingers together, her long manicured nails painted blood

looked towa

presence. The type of man it was

in the investment and venture capital business for

g in her seat, then leaning forward

rolled h

r posturing. He continued, "We thought so, too, un

hat alarming series of anonymous comments to a recent news article that was posted. The article was meant to showcase Tsar Enterprises' financial track record a

tions including padding the books, setting up fictitious accounts, misleading entries meant

id. "These are pretty

enters," Laura said. "

are saying is untrue. We're looking into where they might be

"and there was more. Lots more. I'm not sure y

ur company," Laura stated. "Do

emies could be our competitors and potentially anyone

ot of people,"

el said. "How can

e of our big wins, and our diversified portfolio. We want the public to get to know us on our terms. Showcase our strong track record. Trump this nonsense that these

to the right place. The financial serv

d has told me,

ard said, "made some calls. Kin

. Our results are solid, too. We can definitely help

brought some information along to help get you started

nded Raquel a

rther questions or need any more information before we begin preparing our proposals for you. Once I have all

me," Angelo said. "I

that will impress you," she said, gi

you for your prompt

e to you and your firm," she said, a

lo. He was starting to fee

then," he said as he pushed his chair out. "We will le

There, hands were shook, assurances were given again of follow up calls, th

wn his arm. "I look forward to talking to you again," Raquel said, her voice low. "Call me anytime if there's any

not her usual way of say

. She motioned to Laura, trying to point

me-on. "Thanks, I appreciate that." His voice was c

g, Angelo took a step back.

d her up and down, taking note of the discount clothing and me

vously, feeling Raquel's gla

thers waited awkwardly by the front desk. He closed the

to make eye contact with him at the moment since

ogne was melting her brain cells it was so manly and intoxicating. She noticed the dark chest hair peeking above h

is full lips as he

he continued. "That's progress, even if by happen

hs of his eyes, boring into her. She took

t?" he asked as his hand went to her s

n just an inch closer to him. It was as th

, when his phone vibrated in his jacket pocket. He gr

and her mind racing at t

needed a drink. Badly. She'd be calli

is urgent. I'm going to have to go. I'll call you as soon as I can. I would like to take you for dinner," he s

might be working together," she teas

he said, his full lips curving into a sexy smile. H

ure he could get her to agree to just about anything

bly going to come knocking any moment now. He would have received that text, too." He gave her a hug instead. His strong arms wrapped around her, makin

heart

" he whispered in her ear

n," she repeated

ded and hu

g to absorb the moment. I